Khruangbin • Peter Cat Recording Co. • August 24, 2024 • Granary Live
Reviewed and Photographed by Mark Daluz
There are only a few bands that truly scratch an itch in my brain, and Khruangbin. and Peter Cat Recording Co. do just that. Spending an evening with three psychedelic geniuses, paired with a band from India that delivers a seamlessly cohesive musical experience, was a treat I was going to savor.
It was impressive to see the turnout of the crowd at the gates of the Granary, eager to experience a unique blend of sounds. Despite the windy weather, fans did not care, their excitement palpable while waiting in line. This was my second time at the Granary but it has quickly become one of my favorite venues. There is something magical about how it balances a cozy, intimate setting while still giving you the freedom of an open sky above.
Peter Cat Recording Co.
My discovery of Peter Cat Recording Co. began in high school when I was deeply immersed in the smooth tunes of Frank Sinatra. One day, while playing “Theme From New York, New York” in the car, a friend introduced me to Peter Cat Recording Co. She said if I liked Sinatra, I’d appreciate their music too, and she wasn’t wrong. The moment she played “Freezing,” I was hooked. After some research, I was pleasantly surprised to find out they were from India. For a while, I worried it might be years before they made their way to North America. So imagine my excitement when I heard they’d be performing live in Salt Lake City so suddenly, I was simply ecstatic.
The wind delayed the start of the show by nearly an hour. But when Peter Cat finally stepped on stage, I felt it was worth every moment of anticipation. Describing their sound is no easy task. They call themselves “amateur jazz,” but their music defies genre conventions. Peter Cat Recording Co. fuse East and West so effortlessly, creating a sound that’s truly their own. They opened with “People Never Change,” and for a moment, Salt Lake City felt like the new heart of India.
The crowd grooved to the instrumental build-up, which gracefully transitioned into a more jazz-infused pop sound. Wavey, spacey guitars floated above shimmering percussion and synth-driven beats. The way they blended genres was mesmerizing. Peter Cat Recording Co. exceeded all expectations; they’re a rare and beautiful band, the kind that draws in passionate devotees.
Khruangbin
Following the mesmerizing set by Peter Cat, The Granary was bathed in a soft, lamp-like glow as the crowd waited eagerly. Suddenly, Khruangbin appeared, with Donald Johnson on drums, Mark Speer on guitar, and Laura Lee on bass made up Khruangbin. The trio hailing from Houston, Texas but sounding like they’ve traveled every corner of the globe finally took the stage. Their music, heavily influenced by Thai funk/rock from the ‘60s and ‘70s, is a melting pot of international sounds, from Spain to the Middle East. Without saying a word, they seamlessly slid into their opening track, “August Twelve.”
The air was thick with mist from the fog machine. All while the lights danced across the faces of the fans, changing color with every shift in the music. The lights seemed to be in perfect harmony with the band, strobing at the crescendos, dimming during their quieter moments. To many it felt like a spiritual experience losing oneself in the music.
Khruangbin’s music captivates its listeners, offering a feeling of liberation. The audience moved together with the rhythm, sharing a collective sense of calm and a touch of energy that spread throughout the space.When they played their final song, “Time (You and I),” it stood out as a personal favorite. The song’s vibrant energy contrasted beautifully with the softer, more calmer moments of the night, giving the concert a chance to breathe before the final surge.
For five minutes, the crowd cheered in the dark, unsure if the band would return for an encore. Then, without a word, Khruangbin reappeared, diving into an upbeat, groovy “May Ninth” that swept the audience back into the night with a faster than usual tempo. The crowd danced, bodies drifting deeper into the night under the starlit sky. Though the band hardly spoke during the performance, their music communicated volumes. Khruangbin has mastered the art of saying more with fewer words. Music that resonates deeply, that speaks to something within all of us. Just when the show seemed to finally be over, an unexpected beat began to emerge from the shadows, building into a high-energy rendition of “People Everywhere (Still Alive).” It was a fitting end to a magical night. As the sound sensed through me, I looked around and saw it in everyone else too. People everywhere, truly alive.